My New Boss - Season 3 - Part 38

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Chapter 38


Arnav’s POV


Three days since our return from Goa and I can already see a drastic change in our relationship. Khushi is literally a robot again in terms of work life. I understand being the CEO of the company she has a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders. Not that I was free either. Dad and I have been working closely on this new deal which the Ghosh Group of companies have come up with. Their terms are clear and a bit too straight forward which is why it’s hard to find what the catch is but I think we can handle it as the profits are too huge. So today, when Dad called for this meeting between just the three of us, I couldn’t wait to know what decision we make regarding this deal and also I couldn’t resist spending some time with Khushi even if it would be strictly professional.


But as the meeting commences, I realize Khushi is very much against us going ahead with this deal and it amuses me. We argue and looks like she is fully prepared with her reasons this time. Dad is neutral but I know he won’t take a decision until he is fully convinced. I am a visionary, eager to take risks but Khushi is hesitant and doesn't want to do anything which can ruin the company’s reputation if this deal doesn't work in our favor in the longer run. I like it how she’s arguing over every aspect I put forward. She’s not willing to give up. As if she’s already made up her mind that she is not going to let dad sign this deal with the Ghosh group.

“Ghosh Group is not our rivals Khushi. We have done business with them before,” I argue.

“That was different. Their terms were different before.”

“Maybe they have changed their working style then and so should we.”


Khushi rolls her eyes.

“I can’t let anything play with the company’s reputation, Arnav. Let me remind you I am the one answerable if that happens..”


That’s right. She is still the face of the company being the CEO and would have to answer the media and other stuff if we go south because of the deal.

“In fact, I am not understanding why are you even interested in playing with the reputation of your company?” Khushi probes me directly.

“That’s because I am seeing profits if we go ahead with this deal and I am not going to let it go only because you are insecure, Khushi,” I snap.

I don’t mean to shout at her, at least not in front of Dad, but Khushi too has shown her disbelief in my confidence on this deal and I know why.

“I’m insecure?” she repeats, her gaze boring into mine.

I look away.

“Care to explain about that ASR?” she adds and fury drips from her tone.


ASR?? She called me ASR and not Arnav which means she’s hell angry on me.

“It’s okay. We don’t need to bring that topic here,” I declare.

“You already have.. And I need to know what exactly do you think I am insecure about??”

“Khushi.. Arnav..” Dad tries to intervene. “I understand your opinions differ this time but c’mon… if my son and CEO of the company fights over a deal, how are we ever going to do business?”

“I am not fighting, Dad. I’m confident this deal will work wonders.” I put forth my point.

“And I think this is a trap. The Ghosh cannot propose something so interesting because their terms seem too good to be true.”


That’s it. I bang my fist on the table.

“For once, start showing some trust on people Khushi. Not everyone is out there to outdo you. And business is all about taking risks. We’ll be careful and I am not saying agree to all their terms.”

“Don’t show me that attitude ASR and please remember you are talking to your senior.”


Really? Okay.. Well.. I agree she is my senior in this company but she doesn't have to remind me that.


“Alright” Dad gets up. “Let’s end this discussion here. We will think about this deal tomorrow. Let’s give each other some break to think about it. The meeting is adjourned. Get out of my cabin you two.. and please have some cold coffee or iced tea. You both need to cool down.”


Though Dad jokes the last bit, Khushi doesn't smile. She gets up formally with her laptop in hand to leave. She’s still in that dark black tight skirt I have imagined to put my hands on some day if she lets me. Khushi Gupta is a walking desire of every man in her formals and this is the first time I am both hot and annoyed on her at the same instance. If we hadn’t had this debate over the deal, by now she would have been on my lap, letting me kiss her senselessly.


********************

Khushi’s POV


I barge into my cabin, with Aman right behind me. I can’t believe Arnav thinks I am insecure. And his thinking that I would miss a good deal for the company because of my insecurity is so annoying. Is that what he thinks about me? If yes, that man has a lot to learn yet.


“Ma’am, our Edinburgh conference call is in an hour. They were checking if we prepone it. What do you want me to do?” Aman inquires.


I am about to answer him when Arnav does it.

“Tell them she is busy in another meeting still and wouldn’t be able to prepone the call.”


What is he doing here? And he can’t give decisions on my behalf. Aman looks at me to know my reply.

“Prepone it but give me 20 minutes Aman.”

“Sure, Ma’am.”


Aman then glances at Arnav who frowns at both of us before exhaling. I know he didn’t like me cutting off his decisions but to hell with him. This is my job and he can’t rule me here. As soon as Aman is out of my cabin, Arnav leans over my table with his palms flat on the surface.


“Can I have that 20 minute of yours?”

“No"


Though his tone is polite unlike the one he showed during the meeting, I still deny his request.

“C’mon Khushi. The meeting is done.”

“Oh really?” I snap. “You think you can insult and accuse me during a meeting and then the very moment it’s over, you want me to act lovey-dovey with you being your girlfriend? Is that’s a yes, you better leave this cabin right now and never turn back here Arnav because I don’t think I can handle a relationship like the one you need..”


I say all that in a single breath. Arnav looks terrified by my words but soon he sighs and passes me a glass of water.

“Drink. You’ll feel better.”

“Don’t.” I push his arm away. “You leave me alone and I’ll be better on my own.”

“That’s not happening sweetheart..”

“Don’t sweetheart me, Arnav.”

“Okay” he raises his arms in defeat. “Can we just try to keep our personal and professional relationship separate?”

I rise from my chair again.

“You made it personal by calling me insecure, Arnav. And what else did you say? Not everyone is out there to outdo you? Seriously, Arnav? You dragged my inadequacy in trusting people into business?”


Arnav rubs his temples.


“Okay, you too didn’t leave a chance to remind me I am your junior?”

“That’s because you are my junior and if your ego is that high that you can’t sustain your women one step ahead than you, I would still suggest this is the right time you make up your mind about us and…”


Before I could complete that line, Arnav reaches and with one arm around my waist, and the other shutting my mouth, he draws me to his body. He’s burning with the same anger as I am.


“Don’t ever complete that sentence, you hear me?”

I stare at him in disbelief. He doesn't want to end things between us but he wouldn’t even mind blaming me for something I am not.. I push his arm away from my mouth but don’t move away.

“As your woman I do have problems if another woman tries to get your attention Arnav but I won’t let that insecurity hamper my role as the CEO of this company. Next time you better watch your words. And only because I have trust issues in my personal life, doesn't mean I look every opportunity for the company with the same distrust.. I am not against taking risks but this deal seems off and suspicious to me and being one of the head, I have every right to speak up what I feel to my Boss. I don’t care if you support me in that or not..”


Arnav clenches his jaw.

“Done?” He scowls. “Now will you let me speak?”

“I don’t want to listen..”


I try to push him away but his hold on my waist tightens and the next instant, Arnav pushes me to the table behind, pinning me between him and the table.


“You are misbehaving, Arnav..”

“As your junior I definitely am misbehaving but I wont leave this conversation hanging. You told me your side, now listen to mine..”

I sigh heavily but give him the chance to speak.

“I am sorry. I shouldn’t have said all that but believe me it wasn’t intentional.”


A part of my anger mellows down hearing his apology but I still don’t give in that easily. A sorry cannot fix that fire he burned inside me.

“And I am not one of those men who can’t see their women one step ahead. In fact, I am one of those who wouldn’t mind clapping and cheering seeing his woman taking the trophy which even he wanted to win. You leading this company or me, that’s the last thing in my mind, Khushi. Never think I am jealous of you.”


Really? Though I don’t want to look calm, my expressions sober as I meet his eyes. Arnav’s thumb grazes the corner of my lip. I like his touch.. I always do. He coaxes me to part my lips by his thumb and when I still don’t, he groans.

“It’s my fantasy to kiss the hell out of you in this cabin…”

He leans closer, almost on the verge of completing his fantasy but I place my palms on his chest to stop him.

“I prefer keeping my personal and professional life apart.. Just like you suggested a while ago.”


Before he could argue, my intercom rings. I quickly move to the other side of my desk.


“I have to attend this conference call, Arnav. Please shut the door as you leave.”


He swallows painfully, a bit arrogantly too. I am not sorry for pushing away his desires. This is my work and I don’t want any hinderances while I am at office. Arnav turns around and walks out, also shuts the door behind after he leaves. Now though he did let me do my work, I know I’ll have to do something to fix his mood too at home. Gosh! This is so exhausting. I didn’t realize it before that it would be so difficult to date your Boss’s son and also work with him on a daily basis. It’s like our relationship had just started to grow and now is already the testing period.


To be Continued.

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